Perseverance Pays Off

When someone asks if I play golf, I often respond by saying, “No, I’m a Christian.” Those statements are true – I am a Christian and I don’t play golf. But if it sounds like I don’t play golf as a result of my faith, that’s not true (though I do have fun with my response). I know there are many fine saints of the Lord who enjoy a round at the links.

Ben Bender of Zanesville, Ohio is one who enjoys golf. He took up the game at age 28. In April Ben was playing at Green Valley Golf Course and hit his first-ever hole-in-one. Before he reached the 18th hole, Ben walked away from the round and from the game. At age 93 he decided “the Lord knew” that this would be his final round, and gave him the prize he had always dreamed about. (The pain he felt in his hip was another reason he decided it was time to give up the game.)

The aging process brings with it a gradual diminishing of our physical abilities. I’ve seen that with my love of hiking through the mountains. Bender, however, inspires me. He shows that if one keeps pressing on, it’s possible to reach one’s dreams.

Caleb is one whose example in old age gives inspiration. He approached Joshua with a request: “… here I am this day, eighty-five years old. As yet I am strong this day … Now therefore, give me this mountain of which the Lord spoke in that day … It may be that the Lord will be with me, and I shall be able to drive [the enemy] out as the Lord said” (Joshua 14:10-12).

85 years old, but ready to take on a mountain! The text goes on to say that “Hebron therefore became the inheritance of Caleb … because he wholly followed the Lord God of Israel” (Joshua 14:14).

The Bible has many examples of men and women who accomplished great things despite being advanced in years. Moses was 80 years old when he took on the task of leading Israel out of Egypt (Exodus 7:7). Abraham and Sarah were given a newborn son at the ages of 100 and 90 respectively (Genesis 17:17). Noah was 600 years old when he entered the ark which he and his sons had just completed (Genesis 7:6)!

On the other end of the age spectrum consider young David. Though men much older and stronger cowered before the giant Goliath, David was not afraid: “I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts” (1 Samuel 17:45) That faith gave him the advantage.

Do we not have the same advantage? Paul’s confident declaration strengthens us: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). If Christ is with us, He will also empower us to do what must be done (Ephesians 3:20). We simply have to have faith in these promises – and persevere!

Come to the light God offers! Study His word, the Bible. Worship Him in spirit and truth (John 4:24). Get in touch with us if you’d like to discuss these ideas further.

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Copyright, 2018, Timothy D. Hall. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise noted, are from the New King James Version (Copyright, 1990, Thomas Nelson, Inc.).

“LightGrams” is produced by the Central Church of Christ, 2722 Oakland Avenue, Johnson City, Tennessee, 37601, and is written by Tim Hall, minister. It is sent free of charge every Thursday to all who request it. To subscribe or to receive more information, write to “Tim@GraceMine.org” (our E-mail address), to the U.S. mail address above, or call (423) 282-1571.

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